Indiana Fever Sweep Chicago Sky! 🔥 97-77 Recap & Playoff Push Breakdown

Gintotski Sports

The Indiana Fever made a statement at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, dominating the Chicago Sky 97–77 and completing a historic 5-0 season sweep with a staggering +119 point differential — the largest ever by one WNBA team over another in a regular-season series.  Kelsey Mitchell led the charge with 20 points and 8 assists, Natasha Howard delivered 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals, while Odyssey Sims provided all 13 of her points in the first half to keep the Fever rolling. Aliyah Boston added 11 points and 5 assists, and Aerial Powers chipped in 10 off the bench as Indiana showed their depth, balance, and defensive intensity.  Chicago’s Kamilla Cardoso (18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists) and Michaela Onyenwere (18 points) fought to keep the Sky alive, but 24 turnovers turned into 24 Fever points — a deficit too large to overcome. With Angel Reese suspended and the Sky struggling to find rhythm, the Fever took full control from the opening tip and never looked back.  This win moves the Fever to the brink of clinching a playoff berth, proving they can thrive even without Caitlin Clark, and showing the discipline, defense, and leadership needed for a postseason run.  🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe for more WNBA recaps, game breakdowns, and playoff analysis — and join the conversation in the comments with your thoughts on the Fever’s playoff push!  📌 Disclaimer: This video may contain short clips of game footage used under fair use for commentary, analysis, and educational purposes. All rights belong to the WNBA and respective copyright holders.  #WNBA #IndianaFever #ChicagoSky #CaitlinClark #KelseyMitchell #AliyahBoston #NatashaHoward #WNBAPlayoffs #FeverNation #WNBABasketball #WNBANews #WNBAScores

Transcript

00:00The night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on September 6th carried the weight of playoff math on the edge of a rivalry.

00:06The Indiana Fever's magic number to clinch a postseason berth was down to one,

00:10and the Chicago Sky, already battered by a difficult season,

00:14arrived without their leading rebounder, Angel Reese, suspended after her eighth technical foul.

00:20Indiana, still without Kaitlyn Clark for the remainder of the year,

00:24had no intention of letting the opportunity slip.

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00:45From the opening tip, the Fever played like a team with everything to gain.

00:50Kelsey Mitchell attacked the lane with precision, Natasha Howard controlled the paint,

00:55and Aaliyah Boston anchored both ends.

00:58Indiana's offense was crisp 1-0 for 1-4 from the field, 10 assists,

01:03and their defense suffocated Chicago into 24% shooting.

01:06By the end of the period, the Fever had built a commanding 31-15 lead,

01:11forcing the Sky to chase from the outset.

01:14Chicago found some footing through Camila Cardoso's inside presence

01:18and Mikayla Onionware's mid-range touch, trimming the gap slightly.

01:22But Odyssey Sims kept Indiana's offense humming, scoring all 13 of her points in the half,

01:28while Howard's activity on the boards and in help defense kept the Sky from mounting a serious run.

01:34Indiana's lead held firm, and they went into halftime up 56-41,

01:39in full control of the game's tempo.

01:42The Fever maintained their grip after the break.

01:45Mitchell orchestrated with poise, Howard and Boston combined to dominate the glass,

01:50and Ariel Powers brought a burst of energy off the bench.

01:54Chicago's Elizabeth Williams battled to a double-double,

01:58but Indiana's ball movement and defensive pressure kept the margin hovering around 20 points.

02:03The Sky had no answer for the Fever's balance,

02:06and the home side entered the final quarter still comfortably ahead.

02:10Indiana's depth closed the door.

02:12Powers scored in transition,

02:14Mikayla Timpson converted second-chance points,

02:16and Brianna Turner cut along the baseline for easy finishes.

02:21Every Chicago basket was met with an immediate reply,

02:24and the Fever cruised to a 97-77 win,

02:27their fifth double-digit victory over the Sky this season,

02:30completing a 5-0 sweep with a staggering plus-119-point differential,

02:35the largest ever by one team over another in a WNBA regular season series.

02:39Mitchell led with 20 points and 8 assists,

02:43Howard added 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals,

02:46Sims had 13 all in the first half.

02:49Boston posted 11 points and 5 assists,

02:51and Powers chipped in 10 off the bench.

02:54Cardoso paced Chicago with 18 points, 9 boards, and 5 assists,

02:58Honeyware matcher 18,

03:00Williams had 13 and 11,

03:01and Ariel Atkins scored 10.

03:04Indiana's profile, by contrast,

03:06was that of a team sharpening for the postseason.

03:08They had balanced five players in double figures and defensive teeth,

03:13forcing 24 turnovers and converting them into instant offense.

03:18Howard and Boston controlled the paint,

03:20the bench delivered in the fourth,

03:22and Mitchell's leadership was evident in both her scoring and her 8 assists.

03:26Weaknesses were minor on the night,

03:28limited to allowing Onionware to find rhythm in mid-range spots

03:32and a few turnovers from overpassing.

03:34The opportunities ahead are about playoff readiness.

03:37Refining half-court execution without Clark,

03:40building defensive schemes around Howard's ability to switch and protect,

03:45and defining Powers as a primary second unit score.

03:48The threats are about management,

03:50avoiding overtaxing Mitchell and Howard before the postseason,

03:54and guarding against complacency against lower-seeded teams.

03:57In their own strategy session,

04:00the FIBA would be reinforcing the value of ball movement,

04:0326 assists on 38 field goals,

04:06and the importance of pressuring ball handlers early to generate turnovers.

04:10They'd be scripting half-court sets to feature Howard in pick-and-rolls,

04:14using Boston's passing to find cutters when the defense collapses,

04:18and rotating bench units in earlier to preserve starters' legs for the playoff push.

04:23For Chicago, the story was one of isolated strengths overshadowed by systemic flaws.

04:30Cardoso's size and touch inside remained a reliable weapon.

04:34Williams' work rate on the glass kept them competitive in stretches,

04:37and Onionware's mid-range scoring offered variety.

04:41But 24 turnovers, many in force, became 24 Indiana points,

04:45and their perimeter defense struggled to contain Mitchell's penetration or closeout to shooters.

04:50The slow start was fatal, digging a 16-point hole in the first quarter that dictated the game's terms.

04:57Their opportunities lie in developing Atkins into a two-way perimeter threat,

05:02adding variety to post-entry actions for Cardoso to avoid predictability,

05:06and adjusting defensive schemes to disrupt rhythm scores.

05:10The threats are familiar, morale in a losing season,

05:14over-reliance on Cardoso,

05:16and roster instability from off-court issues like Reese's suspension.

05:19In their own war room, the Sky would be talking about tightening ball security with simpler passing reads,

05:25using Cardoso as a high-post hub to hit cutters and reverse the ball,

05:29showing Mitchell multiple defensive looks to force it out of her hands,

05:32and playing with first-quarter urgency to avoid uphill battles.

05:36By the end of the night, Indiana had done more than beat a rival.

05:40They had inched to the brink of the postseason,

05:43needing just one more result to clinch.

05:45The sweep of Chicago was emphatic, the balance of their attack reassuring,

05:50and the defensive edge unmistakable.

05:52For the Sky, it was another reminder of the gap between flashes of competitiveness

05:57and the sustained execution needed to win.

06:00For the Fever, it was a statement that even without their star rookie,

06:03they have the depth, discipline, and drive to make noise when the games matter most.

06:07Don't forget to subscribe for more stories that bring the heart of sports to life.

06:23Until next time, stay inspired and keep chasing greatness.

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